Jarana has headed up Vodacom’s enterprise division since 2012 and was previously its chief operating officer.

He is a South African of very high repute. He is very well known in the corporate world. He has played various leading roles at Vodacom and he is, therefore, a corporate leader - a turnaround specialist. He has vast networks on the continent which is the future growth plan for South African Airways.

— Malusi Gigaba, finance minister

He is somebody we believe is going to do a good job.

— Malusi Gigaba, finance minister

Gigaba says the fundamental problem with the airline stems from a point of leadership.

The turnaround strategy that was adopted in 2013 was abandoned midway and therefore the new board has had to come up with a workable plan based on stabilising the airline....We are expecting that the CEO is going to play a critical role in driving the implementation of the turnaround strategy.